A Very British Witchcraft

close
more_vert
tiompan T
tiompan Aug 27, 2013 18:35:35
Replying to Littlestone

Littlestone wrote:
Mustard wrote:
Facts are things that can be demonstrated and proven.
The OED actually defines ‘fact’ as, “A thing known for certain to have occurred or to be true; a datum of experience.” That throws the ball game wide open imho as the meaning of practically every word in the sentence can be debated.

Perhaps ‘truth’ (as defined by scientific methodology) might be a better word to use (eg that the earth revolves around the sun is a scientifically proven truth) though even here the ‘fact’ that we’re using just one yardstick (science) to prove that something is true rather rules out other yardsticks that might be equally valid in arriving at the truth...

Whatever that is... :-)[/quote]

The problem with truth and science is that "truth"is not achieveable in science , only better models of reality which are there to be proven wrong and are only as good until a better one comes along .That is partly what distinguishes it from pseudoscience and beliefs which , by their nature , can never be proved wrong .

S Sanctuary
Sanctuary Aug 27, 2013 18:55:12
Replying to tiompan

tiompan wrote:
The OED actually defines ‘fact’ as, “A thing known for certain to have occurred or to be true; a datum of experience.” That throws the ball game wide open imho as the meaning of practically every word in the sentence can be debated.

.

Suggest we leave it at that because if a person has experienced something then it has to be true, if only to them. Will save any arguments,

L Littlestone
Littlestone Aug 27, 2013 19:30:24
Replying to tiompan

tiompan wrote:
The problem with truth and science is that "truth"is not achieveable in science , only better models of reality which are there to be proven wrong and are only as good until a better one comes along .That is partly what distinguishes it from pseudoscience and beliefs which , by their nature , can never be proved wrong .
In other words they're meaningless ;-)